Organisms and their environment — IGCSE Biology (0610) questions by topic

Alpine plants grow on mountains at high altitude. Alpine plants can only grow for a few months because they are covered in snow for most of the year. What are most likely to be…

The diagram shows a food web. (The diagram shows a freshwater food web. Alga is the producer at the base, eaten by stonefly larva, blackfly larva and mayfly larva. These larvae…

The graphs show the number of herbivores in a habitat over a period of time. At time X, the carnivores are removed from the habitat. (Four graphs of number of herbivores (y-axis)…

Some statements about food production are listed. 1 Agricultural machinery allows the efficient use of larger areas of land. 2 Herbicides increase the competition of crop plants…

What is one way endangered species can be conserved? A growing monocultures B overharvesting C reducing biodiversity D using seed banks

What is the principal source of energy input to biological systems? A kinetic B photosynthesis C respiration D the Sun

The diagram shows the flow of energy in a food chain. Four organisms A, B, C and D are shown in boxes with arrows representing energy flow between them: energy flows from organism…

The diagram shows part of the carbon cycle. Boxes are labelled 'carbon dioxide in atmosphere', 'plants', 'animals', and 'waste products and dead organisms'. Four arrows are…

The diagram shows a population curve plotted as number of individuals in a population against time, forming a sigmoid (S-shaped) curve. Four points are labelled along the curve: A…

The graph shows the percentage of species lost, in three different animal groups, due to different human activities during the last ten years. For each of the three animal groups…

What is the principal source of energy input to biological systems? A carbon dioxide in air B glucose C minerals in soil D the Sun

The diagram shows a food web. The food web shows: grass is eaten by rabbit, mouse and grasshopper. Rabbit and mouse are eaten by fox; mouse is eaten by owl and hawk; grasshopper…

The diagram shows part of the carbon cycle. The diagram shows carbon dioxide gas in the air linked by arrows labelled A, B, C and D to other carbon stores. Arrow A connects fossil…

The diagram shows a graph of population growth. The graph plots population size (y-axis) against time (x-axis) as an S-shaped (sigmoid) curve. Region A is the early lag phase…

The diagram shows four positions on a river where water samples were taken. The diagram shows a river flowing left to right with sampling positions W, X, Y and Z. An untreated…

Which statement about a pyramid of energy for a food chain is correct? A It shows how energy is lost at each trophic level. B It shows the energy stored at each trophic level. C…

The food web shows part of an ocean ecosystem. The producers are kelp, algae and diatom. Primary consumers feeding on producers: sea urchin (eats kelp), mussel and clam (eat…

A student investigated the effect of high temperature on the production of nitrate ions in soil. Two samples of soil were taken. One sample was heated to 100 degrees C. All the…

Which letter represents the lag phase in the population graph shown? The graph plots number of individuals in the population (y-axis) against time (x-axis) as a sigmoid (S-shaped)…

Which source of pollution can cause eutrophication? A carbon dioxide B methane C non-biodegradable plastic D sewage

Which row describes the energy flow into and through a food chain that starts with a plant? energy entering a food chain energy transferred between organisms in a food chain ---…

In a food chain, zebras are large mammals that eat grass. The zebras have many insects living on them which suck their blood. Birds eat the insects. The diagrams show some…

The diagram shows part of the nitrogen cycle: organic material - ammonium ions, then ammonium ions --X-- nitrate ions, and nitrate ions - nitrogen gas. What is the process…

When managing fish stocks as a sustainable resource, what is a reason for harvesting only the larger fish of a particular species? A Larger fish are easier to harvest. B Larger…

The diagram shows the flow of energy, in units of energy, through a food chain. producers (1000 units) - primary consumers (100 units) - secondary consumers (10 units) - tertiary…

Which process in the nitrogen cycle can be caused by lightning and bacteria? A deamination B denitrification C nitrification D nitrogen fixation

Which phase in the population growth curve shows when death rates are higher than birth rates? [Graph: y-axis is "number of organisms", x-axis is "time". The sigmoid (S-shaped)…

What is a disadvantage of large-scale monocultures of crop plants? A a decrease in use of insecticides B a decrease in fossil fuel emissions C an increase in biodiversity D an…

Some pollution in oceans is caused by discarded plastics. Macroplastics are 0.5 cm and greater in diameter. Microplastics are smaller than 0.5 cm in diameter. State the smallest…

Fig. 7.1 shows a food chain for some organisms living in a large lake: giant water lily → water lily beetle → frog → heron Table 7.1 shows some information about the organisms in…

Fig. 1.1 shows a pyramid of energy for an ecosystem. The energy (in J) at each trophic level is: trophic level 1 = 11212 J; trophic level 2 = 9804 J; trophic level 3 = 822 J;…

Xerophytes are plants that show adaptive features for dry habitats. Complete the sentence to define the term adaptive feature. An adaptive feature is an ............... feature…

In Fig. 6.1, the diagrams of an island show the land covered by forest in 1982 and 2013. Describe the change in land covered by forest between 1982 and 2013 in Fig. 6.1.

Cabbages are crop plants. Fig. 6.1 shows an area where the forest has been removed to create space for a monoculture of cabbage plants. Describe reasons for habitat destruction,…

Fig. 7.1 is a flowchart showing the stages of eutrophication, with several gaps. Complete Fig. 7.1. The flowchart runs: fertilisers enter a lake → the concentration of…

The graph shows the increase in the human population of the world since 1630 (population / millions vs year 1630-2030). What was the longest time taken for the population to…

Lichens are organisms that do not grow well in polluted air. Which graph shows the change in the number of lichen species from the centre of a polluted city to the unpolluted…

Which trophic level describes an organism that only eats herbivores? A producer B primary consumer C secondary consumer D tertiary consumer

Which diagram shows a pyramid of biomass for the food chain: tree - caterpillar - bird? A pyramid A B pyramid B C pyramid C D pyramid D

Which statement about conservation is correct? A Captive breeding programmes can be used to conserve endangered species. B Climate change is reducing the number of species that…

The graph (bar chart) shows how waste is disposed of in three cities, by percentage of total waste (landfill, burning, recycling, composting) for city 1, city 2 and city 3. Which…

Energy transfers in an ecosystem are listed: 1 Sun to plant (light); 2 plant to animal (chemical); 3 animal to animal (chemical). Which transfers are correct? A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and…

Which diagram shows the correct order in a food chain? A carnivore - carnivore - herbivore - producer B herbivore - herbivore - producer - carnivore C producer - herbivore -…

Which process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere? A combustion B decomposition C photosynthesis D respiration

The graph shows how the population of the world has increased over time (world population / billions vs year 1700-2000), with region P marked on the steeply rising part. Which…

How do herbicides help to increase food production? A by increasing biodiversity B by killing insect pests C by providing nutrients D by reducing competition

Which diagram correctly shows the flow of energy? A producers - consumers, with both - decomposers B consumers - producers - decomposers C producers - consumers, with both -…

The diagram shows a food chain: tree - small insects - small birds - birds of prey. What is the correct pyramid of numbers for this food chain? A pyramid A B pyramid B C pyramid C…

Acidic soils encourage the increase of anaerobic bacteria that cause denitrification. How do acidic conditions affect the nitrogen cycle? A Ammonia will not enter the nitrogen…

The graph shows the population of yeast over a period of time (number of yeast cells against time), with phases A, B, C and D marked. Which phase shows when the number of yeast…

Wheat plants are often grown in large areas as a monoculture. What is a negative environmental impact of this method of farming? A The variety of species in the area is reduced. B…

How will these natural processes be affected by deforestation? (columns: flooding; loss of soil; transpiration) A decreased; decreased; increased B decreased; increased; decreased…

The diagram shows the amount of energy in kJ/m2/yr at each trophic level of a food chain: producers 88 000; primary consumers 14 000; secondary consumers 2000. Approximately how…

Which process in the nitrogen cycle removes nitrogen gas from the atmosphere? A decomposition B denitrification C nitrification D nitrogen fixation

What is a population? A a group of different organisms living in different areas at the same time B a group of organisms of different species living in the same area C a group of…

A farmer has a small pond on their farm land. One year, most of the organisms in the pond die. The next year, the farmer decreases their use of nitrate fertilisers and fewer…

The graph shows how the population of a species of bird has increased following a conservation programme (number of breeding pairs of birds against year 1990-2004). What is the…

The diagram shows a marine food web: phytoplankton - zooplankton - cod and harbour seal; zooplankton - shrimp and mackerel; (cod is eaten by harbour seal). At which trophic levels…

The diagram shows part of the carbon cycle with arrows labelled A, B, C and D between air, fossil fuels, plant and animal. Which labelled arrow would have the balanced chemical…

Which statement explains why there is a lag phase in a population graph? A The build-up of waste products limits population growth. B The low population size limits the birth…

The flow chart describes the process of eutrophication: step X - increased growth of producers - increased decomposition after death of producers - step Y - death of organisms in…

How can fish stocks be conserved? A closed seasons B decreased mesh size C increased quotas D reduction in protected areas

Using the information in Fig. 2.1, identify: an organism that feeds at the third trophic level a herbivore a carnivore an organism that is a primary consumer and a secondary…

Fig. 7.1 shows how some uses of land have changed from the year 1500 to the year 2000 in one country. The graph plots percentage of land used (y-axis, 0 to 80) against year…

Fig. 3.1 is a diagram of part of the carbon cycle. Three processes that occur in the carbon cycle are labelled Q, R and S. Boxes show: carbon in the atmosphere, carbon in plants,…

Crop plants are producers. Describe what is meant by the term producer.

The flow chart in Fig. 6.1 shows one pathway of nitrogen as it travels through the nitrogen cycle. Complete the flow chart in Fig. 6.1. The flow chart boxes read: 'nitrogen in the…

The diagram shows energy flow from the Sun, through a food chain (plant → animal → animal) and into the environment, with arrow 1 from the Sun to the plant and arrow 2 along the…

In a pyramid of numbers, what does the top of the pyramid represent? A carnivores B decomposers C herbivores D Sun

A few yeast cells were placed in a container of nutrient solution. The graph shows how their population size changed over time, with four numbered phases (1 lag, 2…

The bloodworm is an organism that is found in heavily polluted water. The diagram shows where raw sewage flows into a river, with four sampling points A, B, C and D along the…

Which term is used to describe an organism that makes its own organic nutrients? A carnivore B decomposer C herbivore D producer

What is the principal source of energy for most food chains? A carbon dioxide gas B glucose C oxygen D sunlight

A single tree is food for a large population of caterpillars. Several small birds eat the caterpillars. The small birds are eaten by a bird of prey. Which is the pyramid of…

The diagram shows the results of a survey on the types of animals found along a stretch of river near to a factory that empties pollutants into the water. Upstream of the factory…

Where does the energy being transferred along a food chain originally come from? A producer B photosynthesis C carbon dioxide D the Sun

Which diagram shows energy passing along a food chain? Each option A–D shows boxes for producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer and tertiary consumer joined by arrows. The…

The diagram shows a pyramid of biomass for all the organisms in an ecosystem, with four trophic levels labelled P (top), Q, R and S (base). Which organisms are carnivores? A P and…

Three human activities are listed. 1 burning fossil fuels 2 deforestation 3 replanting forests The graph shows the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increasing…

Which adaptation may be present in a xerophyte? A leaves with small surface area and large numbers of stomata B little or no xylem tissue and leaves with large surface area C…

The diagram shows energy flow from the Sun, through a food chain (plant → animal → animal) and into the environment, with arrow 1 from the Sun to the plant and arrow 2 along the…

A few yeast cells were placed in a container of nutrient solution. The graph shows how their population size changed over time, with four numbered phases (1 lag, 2 exponential, 3…

The number of Atlantic bluefin tuna fish found in the Atlantic Ocean has significantly decreased in the last 50 years. Which method would make the biggest improvement in the…

The bloodworm is an organism that is found in heavily polluted water. The diagram shows where raw sewage flows into a river, with four sampling points A, B, C and D along the…

Which feature is a leaf adaptation for living in a hot, dry desert? A hairy B large surface area C many stomata D thin waxy cuticle

Which term is used to describe an organism that makes its own organic nutrients? A carnivore B decomposer C herbivore D producer

The diagram shows two pyramids (P and Q) based on food chains in which the producer is a large tree. Pyramid P has a narrow base widening upwards; pyramid Q has a broad base…

What is a negative impact on the environment caused by deforestation? A decrease in land for livestock production B decreased levels of carbon dioxide in the air C increase in…

The diagram shows the positions of four farms (A, B, C, D) and the concentrations of nitrate at different points in a river (nitrate concentration / ppm). Which farm is likely to…

What is a feature of some xerophytes? A large air spaces in the tissues B leaves rolled up and covered with hairs C leaves with stomata on the upper surface D thin cuticle

Where does the energy being transferred along a food chain originally come from? A producer B photosynthesis C carbon dioxide D the Sun

Which diagram shows a pyramid of biomass for a forest? Each option A–D is a different pyramid shape. The correct one (A) has a broad base (the producer/tree biomass) narrowing at…

The diagram shows some of the effects of human activity on a river: aquatic plants grow quickly, bacteria use up dissolved oxygen, and fish die from lack of oxygen. What could…

Fig. 5.1 shows a pyramid of numbers for a food chain. The bars, from base to top, are: banana plant (1 organism), banana weevil (60), tree frog (10), snake (2). Write the food…

Fig. 6.1 is a graph that shows the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the water at increasing distances along a river. Untreated sewage is released into the river (marked on the…

State one source of methane gas.

A student recorded information about an aquatic habitat (Fig. 4.1): aquatic plants provide food for freshwater shrimps and midges; mayflies also feed on aquatic plants; the…

Fig. 6.1 shows the percentage of land covered by forest in a country from 1660 until 2000 (percentage of land covered by forest against year, 1650–2050). Using the information in…

Which process decreases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere? A combustion B decomposition C photosynthesis D respiration

It is estimated that 90% of the energy which flows through living organisms in a food chain is lost between one trophic level and the next. The producers in a food chain contain…

What can increase as a result of deforestation? 1 extinctions 2 flooding 3 biodiversity A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only

The diagram shows the position of a farmer's field near a river. The farmer uses chemical fertilisers that drain into the river, causing pollution; high concentrations result in…

The diagram shows a food web with organisms grass, corn, rabbit, grasshopper, flea, lizard and hawk. Which food chain shows a correct flow of energy through the web? A corn →…

A food chain is shown: lettuce plant → slug → hedgehog. By which process is energy transferred from the lettuce plant to the slug? A egestion B excretion C ingestion D respiration

A single bush is food for a large population of greenfly. Several ladybirds eat the greenfly. The ladybirds are eaten by a bird. Which diagram shows the pyramid of numbers for…

The diagram shows the flow of energy in an ecosystem: the Sun's energy enters a producer; energy then flows to box 1, then box 2, with respiration losses and energy passing on…

What is an example of a population? A all the animals and plants living in a lake B all the different herbivores in a forest C all the mahogany trees growing in a forest D all the…

The diagrams show pyramids of numbers and biomass, labelled 1, 2, 3 and 4. Which pyramids could be pyramids of biomass? (A pyramid of biomass always has a base that is at least as…

Which process transfers energy between the first and second trophic levels of a food chain? A egestion B ingestion C photosynthesis D respiration

The diagram shows part of the carbon cycle, with arrows labelled A, B, C and D linking carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, green plants, animals and fuel. Which arrow represents…

The photomicrograph shows a cross-section through a marram grass leaf. Which feature is an adaptation of a xerophyte? A the presence of chloroplasts B the presence of fine hairs C…

The graph shows the growth of a population of rabbits in one area, with point X on the rising (exponential/log) phase and point Y on the plateau. Which statements are correct? 1…

The diagram shows part of the nitrogen cycle, with nitrogen gas in the atmosphere, animal and plant protein, ammonium ions and nitrates in the soil, linked by processes R, S and T…

During eutrophication, what causes the death of fish? A increased growth of producers B increased photosynthesis by producers C decreased concentration of carbon dioxide in the…

Which row shows features of xerophytes that reduce water loss? Columns: green colour from chlorophyll; leaves reduced to spines; presence of stomata; thick cuticle (key: ✓ =…

The diagram shows a food chain: tree → insect → blue tit → hawk. Which statement about a pyramid based on this food chain is correct? A Drawn as a pyramid of biomass, the hawk…

During the nitrogen cycle, which process releases nitrogen gas into the air? A decomposition B denitrification C nitrification D nitrogen fixation

One method of conserving fish stocks is to have a minimum mesh size for fishing nets. How is the mesh size chosen to conserve a particular fish species? A The holes in the net…

The table shows the number of stomata per mm² on the upper and lower epidermis of four different plants. Which plant is most likely to be a hydrophytic plant? Columns: upper…

In which process in the nitrogen cycle do microorganisms take nitrogen from the air and convert it into nitrogen compounds? A decomposition B denitrification C nitrification D…

An increased concentration of nitrates in water may result in the death of fish because of eutrophication. Some stages of eutrophication are given. 1 increased aerobic respiration…

Which word describes the number of different species in an area? A biodiversity B community C ecosystem D population

Humans have developed modern farming methods to increase food production. Explain how the use of herbicides and chemical fertilisers has increased food production.

Fig. 4.1 shows a marine food web containing shark, octopus, sardine, limpet, mussel, zooplankton, algae and phytoplankton. Place ticks (✓) in the boxes to show the correct…

Fig. 8.1 is a diagram showing part of the carbon cycle, with processes labelled W, X, Y and Z linking carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, plants, herbivores, dead organisms and…

Fig. 5.1 shows the changes in the percentage of the total global fish stocks that are overfished and those that are sustainable, from 1975 to 2020. Use the information in Fig. 5.1…